X-Message-Number: 12832
From: "Brook Norton" <>
Subject: DNA storage to record unmutated state
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 10:51:05 -0800

In msg 12823 Gary Tripp asks about services for storing DNA.  Back in March
of 97, I posted to Cryonet:
>>
Information I've picked up on Cryonet and in casual reading of other
publications has led me the following understanding... As you age, your DNA
slowly mutates so that an old person's DNA in each cell may not be identical
to the DNA of each cell at birth.  I don't know if the mutations occur in
all sets of DNA and I don't recall what the speculated cause of the
mutations is.  I do recall reading speculations that the mutations are
numerous enough to be suspected as a general contributor to declining health
in older people, the mutated DNA not expressing its cellular directions
correctly, leading to malfunctioning cells throughout the body.  So thats
the idea behind storing DNA when you are young.  To relieve the burden of
future scientists of figuring out what your unmutated DNA looks like.
>>

and then in a later msg:

>>
As we age, our DNA mutates and so when the time comes for reanimation,
cloning a new body or correctly regenerating the old one would be relying on
damaged instructions.  Therefore, I think it makes sense to store a sample
of your DNA when you are as young as possible to preserve a better blueprint
for reconstruction.

I'm 36 and last year had a skin sample preserved by a company called "Third
Millennium Research, Inc."  based in WA, 206-524-6376.  For $55 they send
you a kit to take a sample by rubbing a patch inside your cheek (facial).
You send back the sample and they encapsulate it.  Their literature says
"The storage system is designed to protect the DNA from physical and
chemical abuse and consists of the following:  The DNA and an antioxidant
have been placed on a small piece of filter paper in the bottom of a glass
tube.  The glass tube has been heat fused to seal off the DNA from the
atmosphere and then enclosed in plastic to prevent its breakage during
examination.  The DNA capsule rests inside the block of anodized aluminum
and entrance to the chamber is restricted by a heavy bolt."  The antioxidant
is BHT.  They send you the aluminum block.
>>

I called Third Millennium to see if they still offer the service but they do
not.  I have however seen others offering this service but can't remember
how to contact them.  If anyone knows, I'd be interested so I could save
some of my daughter's DNA.  It may be as easy as a Net search.

Brook Norton

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=12832